James Crooks

• Led all financial modelling and commercial analysis across multiple contract extensions and competitive bids, providing strategic insight that strengthened pricing positions and supported successful outcomes – total order book value over £100m.
• Managed complex finance and commercial exit obligations relating to a disputed early termination, including scenario modelling and direct engagement with internal and external advisors to support negotiation strategy.
• Finance lead for a major outsourced contract cluster (>£60m revenue p.a.), providing oversight, guidance, and development support to Finance Business Partner team while driving high quality financial performance management.
• Supported senior operational leaders in delivering financial outcomes within an Onerous Contract Provision, including cost base optimisation, identification of new revenue opportunities, and leading commercial contract reviews.
• Reviewed and analysed monthly financial performance against budget and forecast, delivering clear commentary, variance analysis, and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

• Appointed as finance lead for the corporate carve‑out ahead of the business sale from its PLC parent, in addition to core Financial Controller responsibilities. Partnered closely with senior executives, PLC advisors and prospective investors to produce and present accurate financial information critical to the transaction process.
• Led preparation of the Information Memorandum, financial and commercial due diligence support, and full financial modelling for the newly separated business, including establishing working capital targets and designing forward‑looking financial structures.
• Presented financial insights to multiple potential buyers, drawing on experience from two prior business transactions to ensure clarity, credibility, and investor confidence.
• Appointed Company Secretary for the newly formed business, contributing to governance, compliance and organisational setup post‑carve‑out

• Oversaw full contractual financial performance of the business, ensuring compliance with commercial obligations and alignment to operational delivery.
• Analysed and reported contractual performance against detailed budgets, providing insight, variance commentary and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Developed and maintained weekly and monthly financial KPI reporting drawn from multiple systems, improving visibility of operational and financial drivers.
• Provided financial sign off for contract pricing, ensuring commercial robustness and that group return on investment thresholds were met; contributed to the preparation of investment committee reports.
• Prepared capital expenditure forecasts to determine funding requirements and support longer term investment planning.
• Acted as financial lead in client liaison meetings, supporting operational and commercial teams with data driven insight and financial challenge.
• Completed tender and pricing financial modelling, including contractual reviews to assess margin, risk, and commercial viability.

• Managed multi disciplinary business support functions, including Fleet, Maintenance Control, Property, Procurement and IT, ensuring effective operational performance.
• Delivered significant cost savings, including renegotiated supplier contracts and a telecommunications project generating £100k in savings.
• Produced financial modelling, sensitivity analysis and contract margin reviews, supporting operational leaders to maximise revenue and margin.
• Led financial input on a major systems upgrade, achieving full integration with finance systems and delivering payback within 18 months.
• Conducted system and process reviews, preparing business cases and payback evaluations for Board approval.
• Supported PQQ and tender submissions with commercial and financial analysis.
• Delivered comprehensive financial control, including management accounts, budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting, tax, VAT, payroll review and audit preparation.
• Produced group consolidations, cashflow forecasts, weekly KPIs and working capital reporting, supporting decision making in a private equity environment.
• Managed loan notes, covenant compliance, asset financing, treasury activity, and day to day banking relationships.
• Oversaw insurance programme management, supplier evaluation and claims handling.
• Served as part of the senior management team, leading recruitment, development and performance management across finance teams.

• Managed a diverse portfolio of clients, including sole traders, individuals, and group companies, delivering end to end financial support across audit, taxation, payroll, cashflow management and banking requirements.
• Produced specialist financial reporting, including litigation support reports, grant applications and detailed product costings, ensuring accuracy, clarity and strong analytical insight.